soundoff(One Response)

James Mulhern

It's wonderful to see teachers helping students cross the digital divide. We need a revolution in education, a re-visioning of the way we think about our teaching methodologies. In the 21st century our educational approach should be synthetic, incorporating "open" pedagogies that are holistic and encourage an awareness of the interconnectedness and simultaneity of ideas across domains, time, media, and disciplines. An overarching concept of our teaching should be "I link, therefore I am" (S. J. Singer, as quoted by Edward O. Wilson in Consilience). As educators, we need to help students synthesize what they are learning in all of their classes by linking ideas among subject areas. We also need to incorporate other non-traditional domains into the classroom experience (those from everyday life), so that students will make connections to "real-life" happenings that are occurring contemporaneously with their lessons. In doing so, themes, images, and ideas will achieve a resonance that is not possible by curriculums that are "closed"–restricted to one discipline, classroom, or setting. A synthetic learning experience reinforces content, encourages the sharing and development of ideas, and facilitates critical thinking skills. Learning is enhanced, especially the ability to synthesize information and make meaningful connections. Student metacognition increases as discussions of relevancy become par for the course, literally. Our students will become the innovative “creative creators.” (Friedman, That Used to Be Us) that our globalized world demands.

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